How
Power Is Restored
In the event of a storm, our
crews go to work immediately, keeping in mind that their safety
comes first. The first step is to restore power to as many
people as possible. We do this by first restoring power to
transmission lines and substations. Next, our crews work on
restoring power along main circuit lines. In rural areas, these
lines stretch for miles along roads into backwoods and across
fields. Taps that lead off the main circuit lines are repaired
next, and, finally, crews repair individual service lines to
homes.
Homeowners have a
responsibility for repairing the equipment and wires that
interface at their home with our system, such as their service
entrance. Be assured, all employees work long hours during large
outages and they; too, want power restored as quickly as
possible. Safety and well-being is a concern for our employees.
Laws necessitate and regulate that employees get regular sleep
and meals during major outage operations. Lincoln
Electric contracts with Eureka Area Dispatch to provide
after-hours dispatching that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year. Lincoln Electric Cooperative constantly monitors all
substations, gathering real time data to alert us of any
substation or circuit problems on our system.
All employees are utilized
during crisis situations. We have agreements in place with
other Montana cooperatives, utilities, and contractors for
mutual assistance in times of crisis. Manpower and materials are
transferred rapidly to our area when needed.
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